Goal 5 – Conduct research and provide research and data-driven decisions about technology-enhanced teaching and learning
Technology is changing the way the world does business, and is even changing its users. It has social, health, ethical, and spiritual implications, and there are many opinions and various perspectives on those matters worth investigating. Therefore, it is critical that teachers are able to conduct and provide research about technology and its impact upon teaching and learning. I have done research about digital natives, and think that the information that I gained is vital to know in order to engage today’s students. Keeping abreast of teaching strategies that promote critical thinking and 21st century skills is also a must. I feel comfortable with my abilities within this goal because as a teacher, I have committed myself to being a lifelong learner. In order to learn, I must be able to gather information and share my findings with others to better the learning community as a whole.
The most pressing need for research within the West Allis-West Milwaukee school district revolves around 1:1 device use, and the use of personal devices within the classroom. Currently, my district is implementing both a a Bring Your Own Device initiative for all students, and a 1:1 iPad initiative for the Next Generation Learning Community classrooms. Tried and true methods, backed by data-driven research for using these devices within the classroom, will be needed to make sure that they are being used to promote deep and critical thinking, not for rote tasks or just more of the same. Post graduation, I would like to continue researching and helping others to apply knowledge and skills about data-driven decisions about technology-enhanced teaching and learning.
Technology is changing the way the world does business, and is even changing its users. It has social, health, ethical, and spiritual implications, and there are many opinions and various perspectives on those matters worth investigating. Therefore, it is critical that teachers are able to conduct and provide research about technology and its impact upon teaching and learning. I have done research about digital natives, and think that the information that I gained is vital to know in order to engage today’s students. Keeping abreast of teaching strategies that promote critical thinking and 21st century skills is also a must. I feel comfortable with my abilities within this goal because as a teacher, I have committed myself to being a lifelong learner. In order to learn, I must be able to gather information and share my findings with others to better the learning community as a whole.
The most pressing need for research within the West Allis-West Milwaukee school district revolves around 1:1 device use, and the use of personal devices within the classroom. Currently, my district is implementing both a a Bring Your Own Device initiative for all students, and a 1:1 iPad initiative for the Next Generation Learning Community classrooms. Tried and true methods, backed by data-driven research for using these devices within the classroom, will be needed to make sure that they are being used to promote deep and critical thinking, not for rote tasks or just more of the same. Post graduation, I would like to continue researching and helping others to apply knowledge and skills about data-driven decisions about technology-enhanced teaching and learning.
Artifacts
Level I
Level II
Level III